Story by Wellington Makonese
THE Holy Cross Dam is rapidly transforming livelihoods in Midlands Province, emerging as a model for dam-driven rural development anchored on agriculture, aquaculture, and tourism.
Located in Chirumanzu and covering a catchment of more than 150 square kilometres, the dam, commissioned in 2024 by President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa, is now supporting a growing dam economy benefiting over 800 households.
Irrigation schemes linked to the dam are sustaining year-round farming on more than 100 hectares, unlocking productivity and strengthening the agriculture value chain.
“We want to thank the President. This project is giving us year-round agriculture; we did not know what irrigation was,” a beneficiary said.
Farmers are already diversifying production.
“We planted over 70 hectares of sunflowers after harvesting wheat… we thank the President and Honourable Rwodzi for the funding,” a farmer said.
Aquaculture is also gaining momentum, with the Chirumanzu fisheries hub targeting significant output as part of efforts to strengthen the province’s protein supply chain.
“We target harvesting over 60 metric tonnes of fish; this project has sustained lives and created business opportunities,” a beneficiary said.
At community level, the dam is catalysing broader economic activity, including tourism and employment creation.
“This dam is providing tourism space… agriculture and fisheries. Over 300 people have been employed. This is a game changer for Chirumanzu,” Councillor Winnie Dzingira said.
Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Owen Ncube, said the project reflects a wider national push to leverage water infrastructure for development.
“Holy Cross is now a tourism hub, supporting irrigation and fish farming… it is transforming development and improving the provincial economy,” he said.
As Zimbabwe scales up investment in dams, integrated water-based economies are increasingly unlocking rural potential, building resilience, and driving inclusive growth.
